Lawyers representing a man accused of carrying out a deadly mass shooting at Bondi Beach have asked a court to block the publication of personal details about his family, citing serious safety concerns due to intense global media attention.
Read More: Bondi Beach shooting: Suspect charged with 59 counts
The request was made on Monday in a court in Sydney during proceedings involving 24-year-old Naveed Akram, who is accused of opening fire during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on December 14. Authorities say the attack killed 15 people and left many others injured, marking one of the worst mass shootings in Australia in decades.
Prosecutors allege that Naveed Akram carried out the assault alongside his father, Sajid Akram. Police say the elder Akram was shot and killed by officers at the scene during the incident.
Investigators claim the attackers were inspired by the extremist group Islamic State and used multiple high-powered firearms that police say the father had legally acquired.
During Monday’s hearing, defence lawyers asked the court to prohibit media outlets from publishing the names of the suspect’s mother, brother and sister. They also requested restrictions on revealing their home address, workplaces and schools to protect them from potential threats or harassment. Magistrate Greg Grogan agreed to extend an interim suppression order until next month, noting the intense international interest surrounding the case.
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Naveed Akram faces a total of 59 criminal charges, including 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of wounding with intent to murder and one terrorism-related offence. He has not yet entered a plea. The case is expected to return briefly to court next week before a longer hearing scheduled for April 8, when prosecutors are expected to present the main evidence against the accused.